Page 123 - Mind, Body and Spirit No. 105 2021/22

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14 Regiment Royal Artillery sits within Royal Artillery Barracks, Larkhill Garrison, which is the home for the following
Royal Artillery units, 14RA, 19RA, 26RA, 32RA, 47RA, 1 RHA, and The Royal School of Artillery (RSA). Our primary role is the delivery of physical development support to the Initial Trade Training (ITT) pipeline and Subsequent Trade Training (STT), as well as the RA Young Officers’ Course. Secondary
roles include physical development support to RSA and the wider Garrison community.
I arrived at Larkhill in Jun 21 from HQ Warminster Garrison having completed a successful handover / takeover with WO2 (QMSI) Ferguson RAPTC and assuming the Garrison QMSI appointment from WO2 (QMSI) Whiting RAPTC who had completed 24 years full colour service. The COVID pandemic brought many changes to the delivery of physical training (PT) across the military. PT sessions were all moved outdoors to cater for social distance measures and ensuring that any physical training equipment (PTE), was not shared between participants, unless there was a strict cleaning regime in place. However, this enabled a reinvigoration of the physical training programme. ITT course PT adopted a more bespoke approach, delivering various forms of training using military issue equipment (bergens, daysack, etc), to facilitate load. Off feet conditioning elements (assault bikes, ski-erg etc) were replaced with drags, crawls, and agility exercises. All preparation and progressions for the programme were implemented and
monitored throughout, with the primary focus being the successful completion of the Non GCC RFT(S), which remained a critical output for ITT before transitioning to Field Army units.
Upon arrival there were many opportunities to exploit across the Garrison, such as outdoor training spaces, and a significant upgrade to the 14RA P&RTC. The unit received funding assistance from LWC SO2 PD Maj (MAA) Lundie RAPTC, which enabled an overhaul of PTE to provide a more structured strength and conditioning focused facility. Moreover, enabling a full Garrison sports programme to coexist within the same space. This installation increased the unit’s physical training, delivery, and operational capability outputs.
On the 24 Mar the unit hosted the RA Boxing Championships which saw boxers, both male and female, compete for their respective RA units. The event was a huge success having had the event previously cancelled due to COVID. The overall male unit champions were 12RA and the female unit champions were 1RHA. The event also had representation of two RAPTCIs, SSgt (SSI) Dean Smith, 47RA and SSgt (SSI) Chris Jowers. 3RHA. SSgt (SSI) Jowers, after 3 days of bouts was crowned the middleweight RA Boxing Champion.
On the sporting front I have continued to represent the UK Armed Forces, Army and RAPTC for football, and continued playing non- league football for Hungerford Town FC in the Vanarama National League.
14RA PTE Installation after refit
14 REGIMENT ROYAL ARTILLERY
WO2 (QMSI) K Emmerson RAPTC
14RA PTE Installation before the refit
RA Boxing Championships
RA Boxing Championships Trophies